Closed cycle waste combustion

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for treating organic waste material characterized by high ash content is disclosed. The apparatus includes a slagging combustor for burning the organic waste material to produce a slag of molten inorganic ash and exhaust gases, a cooler for receiving the exhaust gases from the combustor and cooling the exhaust gases, a condenser for receiving cooled exhaust gases from the cooler and drying the cooled exhaust gases, an exhaust gas recirculation conduit for receiving a first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the condenser, and a source of concentrated oxygen gas in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recirculation conduit for adding concentrated oxygen gas to the first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases to create a gas mixture that is added to the combustor through the exhaust gas recirculation conduit, wherein the source of concentrated oxygen gas includes a valve responsive to an oxygen sensor in the exhaust gas recirculation conduit for regulating the flow of concentrated oxygen gas into the exhaust gas recirculation conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/489,081 filed Jan. 21, 2000 Now U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,611 which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/055,502, filed Apr. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,588.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the combustion of organic waste material, and particularly to a closed cycle combustion of waste material using concentrated oxygen.

Waste materials such as municipal solid waste, waste water treatment sludge, and paper mill sludge, are often treated by incineration. Such waste material contains organic combustible matter and inorganic metal oxides. The organic combustible matter typically provides sufficient thermal energy during combustion to maintain high combustion chamber temperatures without the need for supplemental fuel. The inorganic portion of the waste material is characterized by the presence of some silica (SiO₂) and other glass forming metal oxides. If a slagging combustor such as a rotary kiln or cyclone furnace is used for combustion, the inorganic portion of the waste material can reach a temperature high enough to melt. The resulting molten material is drained from the combustion chamber as slag.

Conventional incinerators designed to combust organic waste material use air as the oxidizer source. Since almost four-fifths of air is inert gases (primarily nitrogen), a major portion of the air provides no benefits to the combustion process. In fact, the inert gas causes several distinct disadvantages. A first disadvantage is that the combustion flame temperature is lowered, thereby making it difficult to maintain the necessary temperatures to melt the inorganic metal oxides in the waste material. Secondly, the waste gases from the incineration will be contaminated with substantial amounts of nitrogen that results in a large volume of exhaust gases which require further treatment before release into the atmosphere.

It has been proposed to reduce the undesirable effects of nitrogen in the incineration of hazardous waste by introducing concentrated oxygen into the combustion chamber along with recycled exhaust gases. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,850 issued May 10, 1994, to Downs, et al.

The present invention also uses concentrated oxygen in a closed cycle to treat non-hazardous waste and to convert the waste material into useful end products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, the non-hazardous organic waste material is introduced into a slagging combustor where it is burned. The burning produces exhaust gases and a slag of molten, inorganic ash which is removed from the combustor. The exhaust gases are treated to remove a major portion of particulate matter contained therein. A portion of the treated exhaust gases is mixed with a source of concentrated oxygen in a proportion that results in mixed gases having an oxygen concentration of at least 30% by volume. The mixed gases are introduced into the combustor to support the burning of the waste material.

Preferably, the proportion of oxygen in the mixed gases is from about 40% to 50% by volume. The exhaust gases may be cooled and dried before mixing with the concentrated oxygen.

Further in accordance with the invention, a second portion of the treated exhaust gases may be treated to remove the carbon dioxide therefrom. The removed carbon dioxide is preferably converted into a liquid form.

Also in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the heat from the exhaust gases is transferred to the mixed gases before the mixed gases are introduced into the combustor.

The invention further comprises apparatus for carrying out the method.

The resulting products of the process of the invention are useful. The liquefied carbon dioxide can be marketed and utilized as a product. The carbon dioxide thus produced would displace carbon dioxide that is currently produced using natural gas or other natural resources thereby conserving on natural resources. The inorganic products in the waste material are vitrified into a highly inert granular material which may be used as a construction material. Conventional waste material incinerators generally produce ash that must be land filled. With the exception of a small amount of non-condensible gas at the exit of the carbon dioxide recovery system, there are no emissions into the air and the environmental impacts are insignificant as compared to conventional incineration processes which have significant emissions.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the detailed description which follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus for carrying out the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of still another embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, dry waste material (with moisture content low enough to support good combustion) is introduced through line 7 into mixer 9. With some waste materials, it may be necessary to add either fluxing agents, glass forming materials (such as SiO₂), or both to optimize melting point and to assure good quality of glass slag produced. The fluxing agent and/or glass forming material are introduced in line 8 in the mixer 9. The mixed material is introduced through line 10 into combustion chamber 11.

The waste material may consist of paper mill sludge, municipal waste water treatment sludge, municipal solid waste, or like materials. The waste material is characterized by a heating value lower than conventional fuels and by an ash content that is higher than conventional solid fuels such as coal. The heating value will typically range, but is not limited to, values of 500 Btu/lb to 9,000 Btu/lb. Ash content will typically range from 5% to 65%. Combustion chamber 11 is a refractory lined chamber. The combustion chamber is designed to promote good contact of the waste material and the gas source. The combustion chamber may be a water cooled combustion chamber, a cyclone furnace, or a rotary kiln. The average operating temperature of the combustion chamber will normally range from 2,500° F. and 3,500° F. The operating temperature inside the combustion chamber 11 will be hot enough to cause the inorganic ash in the waste material to melt into a fluid state. The molten inorganic ash is drained through the bottom of the combustion chamber 11 by a line 12, where the slag is quenched. The spent combustion exhaust gas exits the combustion chamber through a line 13 at a temperature of 2,500° F. to 3,500° F. and enters a mixing chamber 14. The hot exhaust gases mix with cool recycled gases that enter from a line 33. The flow of cool recycled gas is moderated to control the gas temperature exiting the mixer 14 through a line 15 to a temperature of 750° F. to 1,400° F. In an alternate arrangement, the mixing chamber 14 would be replaced with a steam boiler.

The exhaust gas from line 15 enters a gas-to-gas heat exchanger 16 where heat is transferred from the exhaust gas to regenerated and recycled combustion gas. The heat exchanger 16 is desirable but optional depending on the operating parameters of the system. The exhaust gas then proceeds through a line 17 to a steam boiler or water heater 18 in which additional cooling of the exhaust gas will occur. Feedwater enters the boiler 18 through a line 19 and steam exits through a line 20. The cool combustion gas leaves the steam boiler 18 through a line 21 and enters a particulate filter 22 where fine particulate matter is captured and removed from the system through a line 23. The particulate free exhaust gases exit the filter through a line 24 and enter a water vapor condenser 25. Cool circulating water enters via a line 26 and exits via a line 27. A major portion of the water vapor condenses out of the exhaust gas steam and is drained through a line 28. The vapor condenser 25 is preferably constructed from corrosion resistant materials. The vapor condenser will also further remove particulate matter not captured in the particulate filter 22.

After most of the water vapor has been removed, the exhaust gas exits through a line 29. At this point in the process most (75% to 95% by volume) of the process gas stream is carbon dioxide (CO₂) along with small amounts of nitrogen (N₂), oxygen (O₂), and water vapor (H₂O). The process gas stream will also contain trace amounts of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), volatile organic compounds (H_(x)C_(y)), hydrogen chloride (HCl), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter.

A first portion of the gas stream is recirculated back into the combustion loop through a line 31, with the remainder of the gas stream proceeding through a line 30 for further processing. The mass flow rate of carbon dioxide through line 30 is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide formed during the combustion phase of the process under steady state conditions. The first portion of the gas flow that is to be recirculated enters a fan 32 which provides the necessary head to overcome pressure losses as the gas flows through the closed loop. The gas flow exits fan 32 and splits into lines 33 and lines 34. The gas flow in line 34 mixes with concentrated oxygen in a line 40 leading from a source 38. The concentration of oxygen in the line 40 will normally range from 90% to 95% oxygen by volume. Line 35 receives the mixed gas stream from lines 34 and 40. The mixed gas has now been regenerated and contains sufficient oxygen concentration for combustion. Typical oxygen concentrations in the regenerated gas stream can range from 30% to 80% oxygen by volume, with optimum concentrations of 40% to 55%. The desired oxygen concentration in the regenerated gas stream is selected based on maintaining optimum combustion temperatures and combustion efficiency in the combustion chamber 11. The desired oxygen concentration may vary with waste fuel, combustion technology, and other operating factors. The amount of oxygen in the mixed gas stream is sensed by an oxygen sensor 57 and is controlled by a valve 58 in line 40.

The regenerated gas in line 35 enters the gas-to-gas heat exchanger 16 where it receives heat from the exhaust gas. A higher temperature in the regenerated gas will enhance combustion performance. The temperature of the regenerated gas will normally range from 400° F. to 1200° F. The heated regenerated gas enters a line 36 where it proceeds to the combustion chamber 11.

The concentrated oxygen is generated in an air separation unit 38, which accepts air through line 37 and separates oxygen (O₂) from nitrogen (N₂). The oxygen exits through line 40 while the nitrogen is vented back to the atmosphere through a line 39. The art of air separation is well established. Air separation can be performed by any number of methods, such as vacuum pressure swing absorption, or cryogenic air separation. Either method can provide a suitable supply on concentrated 20 oxygen.

In special circumstances where the recovery of carbon dioxide is not desired, a second portion of the exhaust gas from line 30 may be vented directly to the atmosphere or through a final filter (not shown) and then to the atmosphere.

If carbon dioxide is to be recovered, the excess gas in line 30 proceeds to a gas clean up system 41. The presence of a number of trace gases may impact the product quality and marketability. The trace gases would include nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydro carbon based gases (H_(x)C_(y)), and carbon monoxide (CO). The presence and concentration of the various compounds will be a function of the waste fuels consumed and the operating parameters of the combustion system. In practice, system 41 would consist of several steps, and would likely include, but is not necessarily limited to: heat exchangers for modifying the gas temperature, gas heaters, catalyst beds (for reducing trace gases such as NO₂, CO, H_(x)C_(y), into N₂, H₂O and CO₂), scrubbers (for direct removal of HCl and SO₂ with the use of reagents), dehumidifiers or desiccant dryers (for removal of water vapor), and final filters (for removal of any fine particulate matter). The sequence and selection of the various removal equipment is known in the art and will vary with the initial concentrations of the trace gases and what end product specifications are desired.

The cleaned gases exit system 41 into a line 42 and proceed to a compressor 43. The gas pressure at the inlet to the compressor is at or below 1.0 atmospheres (14.7 psia). To provide for proper conditions to allow the carbon dioxide to liquefy, the compressor 43 compresses the gas to pressures of 20 to 65 atmospheres. The compressed gas exits through a line 46. The compressor is cooled with water from a line 44, and the heated water line leaves via a line 45.

The compressed gas enters a heat exchanger 48, where the gas is cooled indirectly with refrigerant furnished through a line 47. The refrigerant temperature will typically range from 30° F. to minus 30° F. depending on initial gas compressor operating pressure and the desired carbon dioxide removal efficiency. A portion of the carbon dioxide is transformed from a gas to a liquid and drained out through a line 49. Nitrogen and oxygen, along with some carbon dioxide that was not liquefied in the first stage, exhaust through a line 50 and enter a heat exchanger 52. Refrigerant from a line 51, which would typically range from 0° F. to minus 55° F., will further cool the exhaust gases and liquefy additional carbon dioxide. The additional carbon dioxide exits through a line 53 and is combined with that in line 49 to a line 55. The carbon dioxide in line 55 would be handled as a conventional liquid carbon dioxide product. Gas exiting via a line 54 is vented and will consist primarily of nitrogen and oxygen along with a small percentage of carbon dioxide that was not liquefied.

The second stage of separation (heat exchanger 52) is optional and its need is based on the desired CO₂ collection efficiency. If the second stage of separation is not utilized, line 50 would vent to the atmosphere.

Supplemental fuels such as natural gas, propane, petroleum oil, wood, and coal may be added to the combustion chamber 11 through a line 60 to maintain the temperature necessary to melt the inorganic material.

In FIG. 2, there is shown another apparatus for carrying out the invention. This apparatus differs from the apparatus of FIG. 1 in that rather than mixing the concentrated oxygen from the source 38 with the recirculated gas in line 34 as in the apparatus of FIG. 1, the apparatus of FIG. 2 introduces oxygen directly into the combustion chamber 11 through a line 59. The oxygen concentration of the gases entering the combustion chamber 11 is maintained at the same levels discussed above with respect to the regenerated gas stream of FIG. 1 (30-80%) by way of the valve 58 which is responsive to the oxygen sensor 57.

In FIG. 3, there is shown yet another apparatus for carrying out the invention. The apparatus of FIG. 3 differs from the apparatus of FIG. 2 in that the oxygen sensor 57 is relocated from line 59 to line 15. Therefore, the apparatus of FIG. 3 provides an alternative location for sensing oxygen in the apparatus by way of the oxygen sensor 57. The valve 58 in line 40 is responsive to the oxygen sensor 57 in order to maintain the oxygen concentration of gas entering the chamber 11 at the levels discussed above for FIG. 1 (30-80%).

In FIG. 4, there is shown still another apparatus for carrying out the invention. The apparatus of FIG. 4 differs from the apparatus of FIG. 2 in that the oxygen sensor 57 has been removed from line 59, a first flow sensor 60 has been installed in line 40, and a second flow sensor 61 has been installed in line 36. In the apparatus of FIG. 4, the first flow sensor 60 measures the fluid flow in line 40, and the second flow sensor 61 measures the fluid flow in line 36. By measuring the fluid flows in lines 36 and 40, the volumetric percentage of oxygen can be calculated (such as in a system controller), and the calculated result can be used to control the valve 58 in line 40. In this manner, the valve 58 is responsive to the calculated oxygen values from the first flow sensor 60 and the second flow sensor 61 such that the oxygen concentration of gases entering the chamber 11 is maintained at the same levels discussed above with respect to the regenerated gas stream of FIG. 1 (30-80%). 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for treating organic waste material characterized by high ash content and a heat value of about 500 to about 9,000 Btus per pound, the apparatus comprising: a slagging combustor for burning the organic waste material to produce a slag of molten inorganic ash and exhaust gases; a cooler in fluid communication with the combustor, the cooler receiving the exhaust gases from the combustor and cooling the exhaust gases; a condenser in fluid communication with the cooler, the condenser receiving cooled exhaust gases from the cooler and drying the cooled exhaust gases; a condenser gas output conduit in fluid communication with the condenser; an exhaust gas recirculation conduit in fluid communication with the condenser gas output conduit and the combustor, the exhaust gas recirculation conduit receiving a first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the condenser gas output conduit and recirculating the first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases to the combustor; a source of concentrated oxygen gas in fluid communication with the combustor for adding concentrated oxygen gas to the combustor; and an oxygen sensor for measuring the amount of oxygen in gases entering the cooler, wherein the source of concentrated oxygen gas includes a valve responsive to the oxygen sensor, the valve being suitable for regulating a flow of concentrated oxygen gas to the combustor in response to the oxygen sensor.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the source of concentrated oxygen gas comprises: an air separator for separating concentrated oxygen gas from ambient air input.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a particulate filter in fluid communication with the cooler and the condenser, the particulate filter receiving cooled exhaust gases from the cooler and removing particulate matter from the cooled exhaust gases before the cooled exhaust gases enter the condenser.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a blower located in the exhaust gas recirculation conduit for increasing the pressure to induce flow of the first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a gas heat exchanger having a first section in fluid communication with the combustor and the cooler and a second section in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recirculation conduit and the combustor, the gas heat exchanger transferring heat from the exhaust gases from the combustor to the gas mixture in the exhaust gas recirculation conduit.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising: a gas mixer in fluid communication with the combustor and the first section of the heat exchanger and in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recirculation conduit, the gas mixer mixing the exhaust gases received from the combustor with an amount of the first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases received from the exhaust gas recirculation conduit.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an exhaust gas recovery conduit in fluid communication with the condenser gas output conduit for receiving a second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the condenser gas output conduit; and a carbon dioxide removal system in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recovery conduit, the carbon dioxide removal system receiving the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the exhaust gas recovery conduit and recovering carbon dioxide from the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the carbon dioxide removal system comprises: a compressor in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recovery conduit for compressing the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases received from the exhaust gas recovery conduit; and a recovery heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor, the recovery heat exchanger receiving the compressed second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the compressor and recovering liquid carbon dioxide from the compressed second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the carbon dioxide removal system further comprises: a gas cleaner in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recovery conduit and the compressor, the gas cleaner receiving the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the exhaust gas recovery conduit and removing trace gases from the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases before the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases enters the compressor.
 10. An apparatus for treating organic waste material characterized by high ash content and a heat value of about 500 to about 9,000 Btus per pound, the apparatus comprising: a slagging combustor for burning the organic waste material to produce a slag of molten inorganic ash and exhaust gases; a cooler in fluid communication with the combustor, the cooler receiving the exhaust gases from the combustor and cooling the exhaust gases; a condenser in fluid communication with the cooler, the condenser receiving cooled exhaust gases from the cooler and drying the cooled exhaust gases; a condenser gas output conduit in fluid communication with the condenser; an exhaust gas recirculation conduit in fluid communication with the condenser gas output conduit and the combustor, the exhaust gas recirculation conduit receiving a first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the condenser gas output conduit and recirculating the first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases to the combustor; a first flow sensor located in the exhaust gas recirculation conduit; a source of concentrated oxygen gas in fluid communication by way of an oxygen conduit with the combustor for adding concentrated oxygen gas to the combustor; and a second flow sensor located in the oxygen conduit, wherein the source of concentrated oxygen gas includes a valve responsive to the first flow sensor and the second flow sensor, the valve being suitable for regulating a flow of concentrated oxygen gas in response to the first flow sensor and the second flow sensor.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the first flow sensor and the second flow sensor measure fluid flow and the volumetric percentage of oxygen is calculated in order to control the valve.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the source of concentrated oxygen gas comprises: an air separator for separating concentrated oxygen gas from ambient air input.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a particulate filter in fluid communication with the cooler and the condenser, the particulate filter receiving cooled exhaust gases from the cooler and removing particulate matter from the cooled exhaust gases before the cooled exhaust gases enter the condenser.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a blower located in the exhaust gas recirculation conduit for increasing the pressure to induce flow of the first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a gas heat exchanger having a first section in fluid communication with the combustor and the cooler and a second section in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recirculation conduit and the combustor, the gas heat exchanger transferring heat from the exhaust gases from the combustor to the gas mixture in the exhaust gas recirculation conduit.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: a gas mixer in fluid communication with the combustor and the first section of the heat exchanger and in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recirculation conduit, the gas mixer mixing the exhaust gases received from the combustor with an amount of the first portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases received from the exhaust gas recirculation conduit.
 17. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: an exhaust gas recovery conduit in fluid communication with the condenser gas output conduit for receiving a second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the condenser gas output conduit; and a carbon dioxide removal system in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recovery conduit, the carbon dioxide removal system receiving the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the exhaust gas recovery conduit and recovering carbon dioxide from the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the carbon dioxide removal system comprises: a compressor in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recovery conduit for compressing the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases received from the exhaust gas recovery conduit; and a recovery heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor, the recovery heat exchanger receiving the compressed second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the compressor and recovering liquid carbon dioxide from the compressed second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the carbon dioxide removal system further comprises: a gas cleaner in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recovery conduit and the compressor, the gas cleaner receiving the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases from the exhaust gas recovery conduit and removing trace gases from the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases before the second portion of cooled and dried exhaust gases enters the compressor. 